“I can’t go back there until I tell you something.”
“Dani, it’s fine.”
“It’s not fine because the truth is I never expected you to want me, let alone fall in love with me, and I’m in love with you too, and I don’t want you to think that I was freaking out because I didn’t want it because I do. We’re in a really great place—”
He stopped her with a kiss to the lips.
“You love me. We can deal with the rest.”
She believed him.
“We better head back to the reception. We don’t want them to miss us.”
“Please, they are so into each other they won’t notice we’ve gone.”
“We’ll know.”
“Fine. We’ll go and dance a little more. Then tonight, Dani, you’re all mine. Your pussy belongs to me.”
“With language like that how could a girl resist?”
“Good, because then I’m going to start working on your ass. I want to own every inch of you.” He pulled her close and his lips were on her again. Not that she’d ever complain; she loved his kisses.
Dammit.
She loved him so much it was scary.
The asshole roommate that she promised not to love.
“You’re going to have to kick me out of the apartment.”
“Why the hell would I do that?” he asked.
“I fell in love with you.”
“And I fell in love with you too. I broke my own rules. Come on, before I figure out a reason not to take you back to the reception.”
They arrived through the trees to find Ryan and Lily dancing together. Jax held her close, and she watched them, so happy for the two of them to have found each other. With his arms wrapped around her, she felt like she’d finally found a sense of peace. Her place in the world.
Yes, he was the biggest asshole she’d ever met, but he certainly wasn’t the worst. Besides, he wasn’t just anyone’s asshole.
He belonged to her.
For the next hour, they enjoyed the festivities; eating cake, dancing, partying, and when the time came to see Ryan and Lily off, everyone crowded around the car.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Jax said, calling after the car.
Dani burst out laughing. Jax had tensed up though, and she saw his gaze was fixed across the street. She glanced over to see that he was looking at an older man. Just from that one quick glance she knew it was Jax’s dad.
“Jax, you okay?”
“Yeah. Come on.” Jax took her hand and crossed the road getting closer to his dad.
“Jax, I’ve been trying—”
“This is Ryan and Lily’s day, and you think you can spoil that? What the fuck could you possibly have to say to me?”
Jax was holding her hand tightly.
“We need to talk.”
“No. We’ve got nothing to talk about. Do you understand me? You and that piece of shit you call a wife don’t ever get to talk to me again. I know what you guys did. What you were doing when Mom was in the hospital fighting to get better. She gave up because of the two of you. I don’t forgive that shit. I won’t. I want nothing to do with you, old man. You’re not a dad to me. Come on, Dani.”
She didn’t argue with him as he climbed into the car.
The anger, the rage pulsed from him, and she just stayed quiet as he needed some space.
They arrived at the hotel where they were staying. He turned off the engine but didn’t make a move to leave.
“I’m sorry. I know you think I should have stayed and talked to him.”
“Jax, I don’t know anything about that. It’s your choice. That’s not my choice to make.”
“You don’t think I should go and apologize?” he asked.
“He’s your dad. I’m not going to tell you what you should or shouldn’t do. I love you exactly the way you are, and if that means you don’t want anything to do with him, then I won’t.”
“I hate him. I hate them both. I don’t want them in my life.”
“Then don’t. I’m not going to go back to my parents, Jax. They’re in the past, and I would never let you encourage me to even try. I’m not going to change you. I love you.” She gave his hand a squeeze. “I’m going to head in and take a shower. I’ll be waiting.”
She left the car and made her way into the hotel. Closing the door, she went straight to the bathroom, stripped out of the bridesmaid outfit, and climbed into the shower. Turning the water on, she let out a gasp as the cold blasted her skin. She stepped back, waiting for the water to warm up. When it did, she tilted her head and let the water wash over her.
Dani didn’t have to wait long before Jax was there with her.
She knew he wouldn’t make her wait.
“There’s so much that I love about you. I love your full body. Your big tits. Your round ass, but I also love the fact you don’t judge me.”